The Lone SF Transmigrator in the Otherworld Forum-Chapter 151: The Python Star System (4)

“Leira. You can sit out this operation if you want.”

Although that would be very troublesome… even Karlstein could not force an old comrade like her into a death trap.

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

“Leira.”

Still, there was no other way. A bitter smile appeared on Karlstein’s lips as he stood and made eye contact, placing a hand on her shoulder.

For the sake of other equally loyal subordinates, he needed to minimize variables in the subjugation operation as much as possible.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

Leira’s eyes trembled.

Karlstein smiled, holding her gaze.

“I only owe you a debt of gratitude. Unlike the other troublemakers, you’ve always followed me silently.”

Her lips parted and closed.

“…Right. I don’t intend to force you. I believe you wouldn’t do anything to harm me.”

“Your Majesty…”

“However, if you have any concerns, feel free to come to me anytime.”

Tears welled by the corners of her eyes.

“If I’ve been lacking in giving you trust, I should be the one to make an effort…”

Karlstein trailed off, gazing toward the ceiling with melancholy.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

Leira jumped up in shock.

It’s a bit self-deprecating, but…

He had to endure for Leira’s sake, and for everyone else’s!

Karlstein did not expect he would be doing the same thing he did with Aria for initial talent recruitment during his early transmigration days.

Sorry, Leira. I’m not deceiving you. What I just said was sincere.

There was simply a bit of acting involved.

“Th-that’s not it! It’s just, just…!”

“Just?”

Finally, Leira had to confess the worry she had been holding. Karlstein nodded silently, listening attentively to her words.

“…So it was difficult to speak to Your Majesty. I wasn’t doubting Your Majesty’s perfection.”

“Hmm…”

Perfection… It’s not quite to that extent though.

Indeed, the subordinates of Fallen Planet had some excessive aspects. It had to be a side effect of desperately recruiting talent by any means necessary for survival during his early transmigration days. Ṛ𝘢Ꞑố₿Èṥ

Karlstein did not consider it laughable in any way… in fact, he felt sympathy. There was a reason behind their excessive attachment. It showed how closed to the brink they were, and how much they needed help. Only, it was indeed true that he took advantage of their situations.

So…

“I understand your concern. But I hope you won’t worry about that part. Moreover…”

Karlstein was sincere. He intended to save as many of them as possible in this subjugation operation.

“I don’t want to lose you all for the sake of precaution. You can trust me on that.”

“…”

He would not sacrifice them anymore. Regardless of whether it was possible or not, that was his true intention.

Leira finally nodded and left the captain’s quarters with weakened steps.

Karlstein sighed, narrowing his eyes sharply.

“Aria…”

[Yes, Master.]

“You must’ve been listening. Were you aware?”

[… I was not.]

Right, that must be the case.

If Aria had known yet remained silent, he would have been disappointed in her.

[But her words are not without reason.]

“…”

Leira’s confession involved something he himself was a bit concerned about.

Single Number…

When he somehow managed to drive his sword into the heart of Delroa during the past subjugation operation, the essence of that creature had settled in his heart—along with its abilities.

This was an unexpected stroke of luck, but also an unexpected situation.

Furthermore…

-What exactly is the problem?

-There’s no issue with his body.

-What about other aspects?

-We suspect it’s a mental issue…

-There’s a faint Ether wave similar to a Single Number…

Karlstein could not open his eyes for three months at the time. Only Aria and he know the detailed circumstances, but the current theory was that along with the Single Number’s ability, something mentally heterogeneous had mixed in.

It was possible it only took three months to awaken only because Karlstein was injected with the Kaiju factor obtained from the Single Number’s corpse.

“How much should I trust my Mental Invariability trait…”

Karlstein was vaguely aware of his mental trait that was too high to measure. But would he really be fine after containing the essence of a Single Number?

There was no answer to this. All he could do was take the plunge. Along with his Mental Invariability trait, matters related to Single Numbers were also uncharted territory.

“I’m certain I’ll be fine.”

Ever since he woke from that incident, Karlstein occasionally felt the presence of Single Number Delroa inside him, but there had not been any particular problems… Except for not being able to get close to ordinary people in his true form due to the pressure of his presence?

“But even so…”

Fallen Planet’s argument was as follows: for his safety, the final execution of the Single Number should be left to someone else to test.

This was an extremely dangerous idea. Humans could not even contain the physical factors of a Single Number in their bodies. This had already been proven through human experiments on heinous criminals. Even if they safely passed physical compatibility, the test subjects invariably went mad.

Without exception.

Fallen Planet could not be unaware of this fact. In other words, they were willing to share the risk, prepared for death.

“…”

Karlstein was not without slight anxiety about this, but…

“It’s a shame.”

Single Number No.9 Kameira’s ultra-regeneration was a miraculous trait that almost seemed to rewind time, and…

“It will surely be greatly useful in subjugating other Single Numbers.”

In his opinion, it was worth taking such a risk.

[Master. Your safety should still be the top priority.]

Aria was also deeply worried, but she was not unaware of the necessity of Kameira’s power.

“It could firmly increase my capability as a tank, after all.”

That alone would greatly increase the success rate of other Single Number subjugations, reduce the sacrifices of subordinates, and increase safety.

“It can’t be helped. When thinking about the future, Kameira’s power could even become a safety measure, don’t you think?”

[That’s true, but…]

Everything considered, he would take that level of risk. That was Karlstein’s conclusion.

If there was anything that bothered him though…

“I suppose only Palteon would bring up such an agenda.”

Palteon was the former leader of the notorious pirate group Arang Crew.

“Considering his nature, we can’t say his motives are entirely pure.”

[A Single Number’s powers would attract anyone.]

Moreover, the fact that Palteon even spoke to Leira meant he anticipated that the information would reach Karlstein.

Karlstein immediately summoned Palteon; he had to personally confirm the truth of the matter.

Despite standing on the cusp of battle, Palteon entered wearing a gentleman’s suit and grinning. Regardless, he was not a man to be ignored as even Maxien would have trouble dealing with his martial arts.

“You called for me, Your Majesty?”

“It’s not possible.”

“…As expected? That’s a shame.”

Palteon licked his lips as if he had anticipated this. It seemed he had no intention of hiding it, but he did not look willing to clearly explain his true reasons.

“Still, my concern for Your Majesty’s well-being alone is genuine.”

Of course, Karlstein was not doubting his loyalty itself. However…

“You must also be genuinely aiming for the Single Number’s power.”

“Haha, a man should pursue strength after all.”

“Perhaps you wish to become Emperor with that strength? If you want, I could hand you the crown right this instant.”

“That’s impossible. Being simply strong doesn’t mean one can sit in that position, and besides, I don’t want to be assassinated by the chancellor.”

“…”

Palteon’s reaction was dramatic.

Hm…

Despite subtly hinting his hope of retiring, Karlstein was rejected as expected.

“In any case, I will not allow it.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I don’t want to lose you all meaninglessly.”

“Your Majesty… I’m sure you know I have little time left in me.”

“…”

Haah.

Palteon surely had his own purposes, but he had made as many sacrifices as the others to assist Karlstein to this point. He wanted the man to live happily doing whatever he wanted, having contributed to the glory of the Galactic Empire.

Even now, did he not unhesitatingly throw himself into the extremely dangerous battlefield of the Single Number subjugation?

None of them were backing out.

“Let me choose my end, if nothing else.”

“…I’ll consider it.”

But Karlstein’s answer would likely be the same; the power of immortality would eventually be necessary for future Single Number subjugations.

For the day when we can subjugate Single Numbers without sacrifices.

With that, Karlstein sent Palteon away and called his subordinates one by one to speak with them. For the operation, and to respond to their hearts.

Some expressed strong resentment towards the Kaiju, while others made absurd wishes.

Marriage…? Nope. Go back.

And then the last person’s turn came.

Creak-

The door opened and a woman with starlight hair entered. She was wearing a suit of light armor colored in a harmonious combination of silver and red. Behind her, 12 Ether armaments floated in the air forming a circle.

“Fully armed, I see. Isn’t there still time before our turn?”

“You never know what might happen on the battlefield. Aren’t you also the same way, Your Majesty?”

“Haha.”

Karlstein smiled faintly to see her as relaxed as ever.

I guess I was tense too.

Karlstein rubbed his face before standing up, taking out a box, and placing it on the table.

“A gift for you.”

Maxien tilted her head as she opened the box.

“A pendant…?”

A vacuum tube the size of a pinky finger dangled from the pendant. Within the glass, fluorescent metal cast a soft glow across Maxien’s face.

“Is this a proposal?”

“…No.”

Karlstein almost sighed in disbelief.

You as well, Maxien…?

Just as he was about to shudder at this subtle sense of betrayal…

Vooom-

Beep- Beep- Beep-

[Master!]

Along with Aria’s urgent voice, red lights flashed inside the ship, warning of a crisis.

“What’s happening?”

[Approximately 10,000 portals have been observed on our route.]

“…”

It was just as Karlstein had predicted.

I knew you scum were the ones wreaking havoc across the /genesisforsaken